FSL1 Charlotte Stone Crabs

Stone Crabs Snap 4-Game Skid

Published on June 1, 2014 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Charlotte Stone Crabs News Release


PORT CHARLOTTE, FL - A day off can do one of two simple things: it can help, or it can harm. For the last few days, the rain at Charlotte Sports Park seemed symbolic given the woeful nature of the Stone Crabs offense in three losses to the league-leading Dunedin Blue Jays. On Saturday night, more rain came, and for eight innings the offense hadn't budged. But in a game tied at two against the Manatees, Kes Carter's leadoff single in the ninth may have started something bigger. In the end, Jonathan Quionez' line drive into center with the bases loaded (remember that old foe?) scored Carter and gave the Stone Crabs a 3-2 win to snap a four-game losing streak.

Facing Brevard County wasn't supposed to be much easier, given that their pitching staff ranked second only to Dunedin in staff ERA. First up was hard-throwing righty Damien Magnifico, who retired the first seven hitters in a row. A one out walk to Marty Gantt in the third and Quionez' slow grounder to second turned it over to Tommy Coyle with a runner at second. On a 1-0 pitch, Coyle found a small window and sent a high chopper into center field to deliver the game's first run and give the `Crabs their first lead in nearly a week.

Austin Pruitt opened another stellar performance with five scoreless innings, aided by Patrick Leonard's solo shot to open the home fourth which gave the Stone Crabs a 2-0 lead. In the sixth, Manatees third baseman Nicky Delmonico blooped a base hit down the left field line, and Quionez hustled back to pick it up and make a hurried throw to second to try and get the out. The throw skipped over Coyle's mitt and ended up down the right field line, and Delmonico advanced to third. Two batters later, Pruitt crossed up Justin O'Conner, and a passed ball got Delmonico in to score to make it a 2-1 game.

Parker Markel's best efforts to hold the lead in the seventh were unsuccessful once Mike Garza started the frame with a leadoff single. Another passed ball got the tying run into scoring position, and with two outs, Nathan Orf's third hit of the night got all the way to the wall in left for a double to tie the score. Markel retired the final four hitters he faced after getting Orlando Arcia to ground out to end the seventh and retiring the side in order in the eighth.

Charlotte's first chance with the bases loaded came in the eighth after Kevin Shackelford used three walks and a fielder's choice groundout by Quionez to fill them up with two outs for O'Conner. His hard grounder right back to the mound ended the threat, but the turnaround was quick after Ryan Garton worked a fast top of the ninth.

Carter's leadoff single into right to open the home half made Jared Sandberg's decision easy to have Jake DePew drop down a perfect sacrifice bunt. A patient at bat by Josh Sale resulted in a walk, and Gantt's infield single on an 0-2 pitch loaded them up for the second time. Quionez wasted no time in lining the first pitch past the shallow infield back into center for the 3-2 winner.

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Florida State League Stories from June 1, 2014


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